Wawrinka bags the Chennai Open title

Chennai: Swiss star Stan Wawrinka successfully defended his men’s singles title once again at the 20th edition of the $425,535 Chennai Open with comprehensive straight sets win over Borna Coric of Croatia at the SDAT Tennis Stadium here on Sunday evening.

The reigning French Open champion took barely an hour and 27 minutes to drub World No. 44 Coric in the final with the scoreline reading 6-3, 7-5 on the outdoor hard court. This is World No.4 Wawrinka’s third win in as many meetings over the 19-year-old Croat.

This is also the top seed’s fourth title here, having won in 2011, 2014 and 2015 apart from the men’s doubles crown he clinched with Frenchman Benoit Paire in 2013.

Wawrinka had a clear and easy journey in the first set, managing to win all his service games despite giving away five breakpoint opportunities, which Coric failed to convert.

In exchange, the Swiss got one breakpoint chance in the sixth game which he converted — enough to take the lead by sealing the set in his favour.

The 30-year-old’s serve came in very handy in the first set of the summit clash as Wawrinka fired in as many as 10 aces to none of his World No. 44 opponents. Overall, Wawrinka won 40 of the 70 points played in the set.

The teenager gave tougher competition to Wawrinka in the second set by not losing his serve till the 10th game. But Wawrinka’s experience helped him convert a breakpoint chance in the 11th game.

Serving for the set and match, the defending champion eased to victory to claim another title here and prepare himself for the first Major of the year — Australian Open — due to start in a week from now.

Representative set of the Olympic medals. Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Rajeev attributes his success to his parents who taught him the Hindu values that translated onto the tennis court

His parents, who are involved in the local Hindu community didn’t care whether he won or lost his tennis matches as a child but ensured that he controlled his temper

In time, he found out that keeping calm could not only make him morally better but could also improve his scores

August 23, 2016: When people from a tiny community that exist in a massive land distinguish themselves and reach the zenith of success, they become role models, symbols of hope to all those who aspire to make history. A small Hindu community of the US has brought out prodigies in every field, creating a name for themselves. The Hindu Americans have produced successful entrepreneurs, and scholars and also those who excel in the professional realms of sports.

There have been many Hindu Americans who have represented the US and become Olympic champions. Mohini Bhardwaj, the silver medal winner gymnast in 2004, and Raj Bhavsar who won bronze in 2008 in the same field are a few to name. When Rajeev Ram stood on the Olympic podium to receive his silver medal in tennis doubles in Rio 2016, not only did he become a new role model for the Hindu American children, but he also became the new face of a local Hindu community he belongs to, mentioned the Washington Post.

What an honor to receive the silver medal and share the podium with the other meddling teams.… https://t.co/XEjypyHMwZ

Rajeev attributes his success to his parents who taught him the Hindu values that translated onto the tennis court. The Washington Post quotes Ram, “Part of the Hindu religion teaches- more so than anything else, your control of your mind — your self-control, basically. Obviously, your body’s going to do what your mind tells it to do. If you can have that inner control, a sense of peace, your body’s going to follow.” This self-control generally refers to one’s mastery over his moral and ethical choices. Ram has taken his practice to the next level by achieving mastery of his body.

Rajeev Ram, Image source: Twitter

Rajeev’s parents, who are involved in the local Hindu community didn’t care whether he won or lost his tennis matches as a child but ensured that he controlled his temper. In time, he found out that keeping calm could not only make him morally better but could also improve his scores.

So when the people abroad are able to inculcate the principles of Hinduism and transform themselves into amazing personalities, it is sad that back home in India which is the motherland of Hinduism, people are unable to harness the best athletes and send them to the Olympic Games.